Monday, June 20, 2011

My good friend, Kulsum, from Journey Kitchen asked me today how to create the pure, almost ethereal white background of Donna Hay photos like the one above. To be truthful, I'm not certain. Heck, if I could make photos like this, I'd have done so already and would be working for Donna (a girl can dream, right?) =p. But after noting that there are almost no shadows in this photo and also remembering some photos I'd seen of the Donna Hay studio, I was fairly certain that the lighting conditions were key to this effect. And since I'd already uploaded the studio photos for Kulsum, I thought I might as well share with everyone :). As you'll see below, Donna's studio is surrounded by large windows on all sides which gorgeous white light spills through. All these windows have sheer white screens over them which diffuse the abundant light. This essentially turns the studio into a huge natural light softbox in which these dreamy white photos can be captured. Or that's my best guess anyway 8). If anyone knows better, please chime in!

Thanks for sharing this Xiaolu. I think a small soft box that allows light from all four sides could help us to click such pictures. But still we may or may not get the studio quality. And yes we can dream to work in such studios. It could become true someday.

Thanks for the comments, you guys :). Radhika, I think anyone with a room that has large windows in more than one direction might be able to achieve this similar effect. Unfortunately my best shooting location in the apartment is still just one large window. Reflectors can do a lot, but it's usually hard to provide as much fill light as actual light sources.

I've seen photographers using those things that look like inverted umbrellas to diffuse light. A room with 4 windows would be perfect. In my apartment it would be quite difficult for me to put a window on one of the walls. Investment in those upside down umbrellas might be better:)

oh Xiaoluuuuu! Do you realize I might be falling for you now :-D??? You are the kindest person to share every knowledge you have! As for the picture I think I agree. The light in studio pictures is certainly perfect and it is difficult to fill light the same way at my little one window apartment.

White background has always been my nemesis. Dark background somehow, are easier to manage. Yes lighting is always key but not everyone has that luxury.... Sigh... XL - thanks for taking time to share this with us!

Spoons and Chopsticks - I'm sure they do some processing on the photos, but I doubt the general effect is from retouching. I used to think that a long time ago, but there's really no faking that type of lighting except perhaps with an artificial lightbox, but I don't think retouching would be enough.

I agree with you - you need a TON of diffused light to pull off white on white - in the pic above I also love how cool the white is compared to the warm food - we all know blue goes well with food, and turning the white background slightly cool I think really makes the food pop with color contrast - something I've seen in a few of her latest issues, and love. But yeah my guess is the key is all in the lighting....

I just had a look through my Donna Hay cookbooks and can see that the shadows seem to fall primarily forward and to the left, which makes me think the primary light source is large and towards the back right, probably with a reflector in the front left to soften the shadows?

What great tips, Xiaolu! Thank you! I always struggle finding the perfect spot to take pictures in my home... Most rooms have windows only on one side. Lots of shadows. I am working hard to get good pictures in spite of it! :) This helps!